Woods takes lead at Target World Challenge

Tiger Woods vaulted into the lead by shooting a four-under-par 68 to take a one-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the Target World Challenge.

The world's top-ranked player and the host of this US$5.75 million event, Woods shot his second consecutive 68 to move to eight-under 136 at Sherwood Country Club.

Woods split a pair of birdies on each nine to surge past Henrik Stenson, the first-round leader who followed his opening 66 with a one-under 71.

"Well, today I drove it good again," Woods said. "My iron game was not very precise, and my speed on the greens was a little bit lacking, and [I had] another three-putt again today.

"Overall I've got a little bit of room for improvement. Hopefully tomorrow I can get it cleaned up a little bit more," he said.

Despite his assessment of his short game, Woods chipped in for par on the fifth and rolled in birdie putts of at least 13m on the ninth and 10th holes.

"Again, people say, `How can you be complaining? You made two putts.' But if you look at my speed on those putts, and if they don't go in, then I'm looking at probably two more three-putts. I've already got three this week, and that's three too many," he said.

Playing in his first tournament since the World Golf Championships in early October, Woods has nine birdies and one bogey in his first 36 holes.

Stenson struggled to a 39 on the back nine on Friday, registering a double-bogey on the par-three 12th hole and bogeys on Nos. 14 and 16.

"That double-bogey sort of threw off the momentum a little bit," Stenson said.

Stenson, who was paired with Woods, said he was not rattled by the long birdie putts from the world's best player.

"I just try and play my game. He's a fantastic putter," Stenson said.

A winner of eight PGA Tour events this year and a two-time winner of this tournament, Woods is in line to capture the US$1.35 million first prize. The last-place finisher in the 16-player field earns US$170,000.